A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for diazepam. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. Grapefruit juice inactivates this medication - Grapefruit juice is known to interact with certain medications, but it does not affect the metabolism of diazepam. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

B. It is important to avoid foods that contain tyramine - Tyramine is typically associated with interactions with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), not benzodiazepines like diazepam. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

C. This medication must be swallowed whole - While it is generally recommended to swallow diazepam tablets whole with a full glass of water, this instruction does not encompass the full range of information necessary for safe medication use.

D. Diazepam can cause drowsiness - This statement is correct. Diazepam, like other benzodiazepines, has sedative effects and can cause drowsiness. Patients should be advised to avoid activities that require mental alertness, such as driving, until they know how the medication affects them. This is an essential aspect of patient education regarding diazepam.

A. Dilute the medication with sterile water before injecting: Phenytoin should not be diluted before administration because it may cause precipitation or crystallization of the drug, leading to potential adverse effects such as tissue irritation or embolism.

B. Administer the medication over 1 min: Phenytoin should be administered slowly over 1 to 2 minutes to reduce the risk of adverse effects such as hypotension or cardiac arrhythmias. Rapid infusion can lead to cardiovascular collapse.

C. Slow the injection if the medication crystallizes: If the medication crystallizes, the nurse should stop the injection immediately and flush the IV line with normal saline. However, preventing crystallization by administering the medication slowly over the recommended time is preferable.

D. Follow the IV injection with sterile water: Following the IV injection with sterile water is not a standard practice for administering phenytoin. Instead, the nurse should follow institutional guidelines for flushing the IV line after medication administration, typically with normal saline.